Adjustable separator



Feb. 17, 1942. F. J. ROUAN ADJUSTABLE SEPARATOR Fil ed Feb. 5, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVEN 0 54/705 koq'ar;

. BY -M1/fi0.1 ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1942. F, QAN 2,273,288

ADJUSTABLE SEPARATOR Filed Feb. 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. 5.. T q-INVENTO fldffC/S 5 (14 7 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SEPARATOR Francis J. Rouan, Stamford, Conn,assignor to Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter 00.,

Stamford,

Claims.

This invention relates to means for stripping letters from the bottom ofa stack of superimposed letters prior to the feeding of the same to amailing machine or the like, and is more particularly related to aseparator unit and means for the adjustment of same.

In feeding letters to a mailing machine from a stack of superimposedletters, it is common practice to engage the bottom of the lowermostletter in the stack with some friction device to strip said letter andmove same to a letter feeding position. To prevent the letter directlyabove from being carried forward with the one which is being stripped,an obstruction is provided in the form of a separator roller unit, whichis positioned directly in front of the letters.

The letters may vary in thickness from a very thin air-mail letter, ofperhaps g g of an inch, to a very bulky letter of perhaps ,42 inch inthickness. The envelope paper will also vary in quality from a lighttissue to a hard and glossy surfaced heavy paper.

To accommodate the conditions arising'in the separation of letters ofvarying thicknesses and having varying grades of envelope paper,provision is made for adjustment of the tension applied by the separatorunit upon the letters. Provision is further made for maintaining asubstantially equal tension regardless of the thickness of the letterspassing beneath the separator rollers after an adjustment is once made.

The principal object of this invention therefore, is to provide meanswhereby a separator unit may yield under a substantially constanttension as letters of varying thicknesses pass therebeneath.

It is a further object to provide means whereby the yieldable tensionmeans may be manually adjusted to increase or decrease the said tension.

It is another object to provide an improved manual means of adjustmentfor the adjustment of the separator frame, including means for lockingsaid manual means after an adjustment is made.

It is also an object to provide means for the adjustment of a guardmember which limits the exposure of the frictional surface of thesepahereinafter described and claimed, itbeing understood that variouschanges in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed maybe made within the scope of what is claimed Fig. 4 is a side elevationalview with parts broken away and parts in section, taken in the directionof the arrow 4 on Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4, showing theyieldability of the separator frame structure and particularlyindicating the similar tension of the tension spring in comparison withthe tension spring with the frame in the position of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a support Ii), carried by a machinebase II, has a separator roller frame I2 yieldably mounted thereon. Themounting for said frame l2 isin the form of 'a pantograph and includesan upper pair of arms I3-I3, and a lower pair of arms lE -l4. The upperarms l3l3 connect the upper end of the frame I2 with ears l4l4projecting from the support It), and the lower arms [5-45 connect theframe [2 with ears Iii-l6, projecting from the support It]. Frictionrollers H are supported at the lower end of the frame I2 on a shaft l8and normally lie in the path of a stack of superimposed letters I9,supported upon a feed plate By means of a suitable feed, suchasindicated in Fig. 1, the lowermost letter is adapted to be stripped fromthe stack of superimposed letters, during each cycle of machineoperation, by a stripper wheel 2|. Said wheel 2| has a bump 22 thereonand a frictional belt 23, which belt is adapted to be moved intoengagement with the lowermost letter as the bump portion 22 movestherepast. Said stripper wheel 2| is also mounted on a shaft 24 and maybe driven in any suitable manner.

By means of an anti-reverse member, the rollers I! are prevented fromrotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from Fig. 1, so thatas the lowermost letter is moved therepast, the rollers willfrictionally engage the upper surface of the letter and prevent morethan the one letter from passing therebeneath. To distribute wearresulting from the frictional engagement between the letters androllers, means is provided to rotatively adjust the rollers during eachcycle of operation. Said anti-reverse and roller adjusting means formthe subject matter of another application Serial Number 376,264 andtherefore, will not be further described.

To further assist the frictional qualities of the rollers l1, tensionmeans is provided to urge the frame [2 downwardly. It is particularlydesirable to provide such tension in a manner which will effect asubstantially equal tension for varying thicknesses of letters whichpass beneath the rollers. To accomplish the latter, Spring is provided,which has one end anchored to a pin 26 on one of the lower arms I5, asbest shown in Figs. 4 and 5, while the other end is anchored on a pin 21projecting from a manually adjustable arm 23. Said arm 28 has anelongated slot 29 at its rearward end, and is' supported on a rod 3|,carried by the ears l4l4, which ears support the inner ends of the upperarms I3|3. Said adjustable arm 28 also has a pin 32 projecting therefromat its forward end, and attached to one side of the separator frame 12is a plate 34, having notches 35 in the upper forward edge thereof.

The arm 28 is adapted to be adjusted to change the tension of the spring25 so that a greater or lesser force may be effected by the separatorrollers on the letters passing therebeneath. Said adjustment is made bymoving the pin 32 of the arm 28 into any one of the notche 35. When thepin 32 is in the lowest notch 35, the minimum tension is exerted on theseparator bracket, whereas, when the pin is engaged with the uppernotches 35, maximum tension is exerted.

It will be noted in the examples shown in Figs. 4 and 5, that the springwhen in its normal rest position, as in Fig. 4, has substantially thesame tension as it does in Fig. 5, after the separator frame has beenraised to approximately its maximum position by a heavy piece of mail.This same condition prevails for the several settings of adjustmentswhich the arm 28 may be placed in and produces a definite advantagewhere the letters of varying thicknesses passing beneath the separatorhave the same quality of envelope.

The tension of the spring 25 i originally determined by the servicemanwhen a machine is installed, and so long as the operator continues touse the same quality of envelopes for which the tension was originallyset, or something similar thereto, the original setting will remainindefinitely. If there is a departure from the quality of envelopes usedand trouble is experienced in separating, the pring tension will usuallyrequire readjustment to suit the new conditions.

While the aforesaid spring tension is preferably controlled by aserviceman, there is also provided means whereby an operator may adjustthe separator bracket as a whole, to raise or lower the rollers I1 andthereby control separation of letters of varying thicknesses. Saidlatter setting is adapted to be effected by means of a manipulativehandl 36, which is exposed outside of a casing 37 covering the separatorunit. The handle is preferably shaped to form a pointer, as indicated inFig. 2, and graduations a tension are provided as shown at 38, on theside of the casing 3'1.

Th handle 36 is fixed to a shaft 39, which shaft is carried in bearings4i4|, and has a gear 42 fixed to the inner end thereof. A toothed stop43 is fixed to a lug 44, on the support It], and is normally adapted tobe engaged by the teeth of the gear 42, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.A spring 45 around the shaft 39, between the bearing 4| and hub portionof handle 36, is adapted to urge the shaft sideward in a direction whichwill maintain the teeth of the gear 42 in engagement with the teeth ofthe stop 43. When however, the said shaft 39 is moved axially inward, bydepressing the handle 36 toward the casing 37, the gear 42 will bedisengaged from the toothed stop 43, and may then be rotated to effectan adjustment of the separator roller bracket. When said handle 36 isrotated, a pin 46 on the gear 42, is rotated through an arcuate path toadjust the position of a cam member 41, which cam member is associatedwith the separator frame 12, and is pivotally mounted upon the rod 3| inbearings l4-l4. Said cam member 41 has a toe portion 43 provided at thelower end thereof which normally engages a bridge portion 49, connectingthe two upper arms |3l3 of the separator bracket i2.

The tension of the spring 25 normally urges the separator roller framedownward and therefore urges the bridge portion 49 against the toeportion 48, and the cam member 41 against the stop pin 46. Motion of thecam member 41 is prevented however, until the gear 42 i moved free ofthe toothed stop 43. When therefore, the gear 42 is free for rotation bymeans of the handle 36, the pin 46 will move across the cam surface ofthe cam member 4'! to rock said cam member and adjust the roller framel2. After an adjustment is made, the cam member 41 is again locked inits adjusted position by the engagement of the gear 42 with the stop 43,so that vibration caused by the operation of the machine will not effectany change in the adjustment.

It is also desirable to combine a guard member with a separator unit ofthis type as indicated at 5|. Said guard member has a curved portionstarting from the bottom of the separator wheels I! and curving to therear of the wheels to form a shield which will be engaged by the lettersbefore said letters engage the frictional surfaces of the rollers 11.Projecting upwardly from the curved shield portion is a backing portion52, which has an elongated slot 53 therein, and within the slot 53 is aguide strip 54, supported by the separator roller frame l2.

To provide for the best letter stripping conditions, the shield portionof the guard member 5| is positioned so that its lower curved surface isabout of an inch from the lower surfaces of the friction wheels. As wearoccurs, this distance is reduced and will eventually interfere with theseparation of letters. An adjustment is then made to move the said guardupward, which adjustment is provided by means of an arcuate leaf springmember 55 and a clamp 56. The clamp comprises a U-shaped member,including two legs 5151 and a bridging portion 58. One leg is extendedto form a convenient finger grip as at 59. When an adjustment is to bemade, the finger grip 59 is rocked to release the clamping effect of thebridge portion 58 against the spring 55, thereby releasing the springpressure and freeing the guard. When adjusted jects above the top of thecasing 37.

to the desired position, the said guard is again clamped in place bymoving the clamp 56 to a clamping position withrelation to the springmember 55.

Occasionally when assorted mail is run through the machine it may bedifiicult for one of the pieces to get past the separator rollers. Forthis purpose the entire separator frame is adapted to be lifted by meansof a handle 6| which pro- As best shown in Fig. 1, said handle 6| isformed at the upper end of a metal strap 60 and a foot 62 is formed atthe lower end thereof, which foot normally rests upon a bridging portion63, connecting the lower arms |I5. The metal strap 50 is guided alongthe back wall of the support H] by means of a block 65 on the wall ofsupport 10, which block projects within a slot '66 in the strap 60. Anoverlapping washer 64, screwed to the block 55, is provided to hold thestrap 60 in position on the block 65. When said handle BI is lifted thefoot 52 is adapted to engage with an outwardly turned end 51 on theseparator roller bracket to thereby effect the lift of said bracketmomentarily.

Having described the invention what is claimed 1s:

1. In a yieldable letter feed separator unit arranged to obstruct thepassage of all except the lowermost letter from a stack of letters, asupport, a separator frame carried by said support and having frictionmeans thereon engagable with the upper surface of the lowermost letterwhen said letter is stripped from the stack, spring means urging saidfriction means against the upper surface of the letter which isstripped, and means for mounting said spring means so that each end ofthe spring is movable with the frame.

2. In a yieldable letter feed separator unit arranged to obstruct thepassage of all except the lowermost letter from a stack of letters, asupport, a separator frame having friction means thereon engagable withthe upper surface of the lowermost letter when said letter is strippedfrom the stack, spring means urging said friction means against theupper surface of the letter which is stripped, an arm linking the frameto the support, and a mounting for said spring means including an anchorfor one end on the frame and an anchor for the other end on the said armso that the entire spring means is movable with the frame.

3. In a yieldable letter feed separator unit arranged to obstruct thepassage of all except the lowermost letter from a stack of letters, thecombination with a stationary support, a frame member having upper andlower arms pivotally linking the frame to the support in pantographfashion, and rollers supported at the lower end of the frame; of aspring having one end anchored to the lower arm, and the opposite endanchored to the said frame, to thereby urge the frame downward and toapply substantially equal tension as the frame is raised during thefeeding of a letter beneath the rollers.

4. In a yieldable letter feed separator unit arranged to obstruct thepassage of all except the lowermost letter from a stack of letters, thecombination with a stationary support, a frame memher having uper andlower arms pivotally linking the frame to the support in pantographfashion, and rollers supported at the lower end of the frame; of aspring having one end anchored to the lower arm, an adjustable leverpivotally movable with the upper arm and having the other end of thespring anchored thereto, and means to support the free end of the leveron said frame, whereby the frame is urged downwardly under a tensionwhich remains substantially equal during varying positions of the frameresulting from the letters of varying thicknesses passing under theseparator rollers.

5. In a letter feed separator unit, the combination with a support, aframe member having upper and low-er arms pivotally linking the frame tothe support in pantograph fashion; of a spring having one end anchoredto the lower arm, a notched member on said frame, a pivotal arm havingthe other end of the spring anchored thereon, and one end of saidpivotal arm being adjustably engageable with a notch in said notchedmember.

6. The combination with a yieldable separator frame having frictionalrollers mounted at the lower end thereof; of a spring urging said framedownwardly, a manually adjustable stop, means urged into engagement withsaid stop by said spring, said means having a connection with the frameto determine the position at which the frame is to be maintained, andmeans to lock the stop in an adjusted position.

7. The combination with a yieldable separator frame having frictionalrollers mounted at the lower end thereof; of a spring urging said framedownwardly, a manually rotatable member having a stop thereon, a cammember associated with the frame and urged by the spring into engagementwith said stop to determine the position at which the frame is to bemaintained, and means to lock the stop in an adjusted position,

8. The combination with a yieldable separator frame having frictionalrollers mounted at the lower end thereof; of a spring urging said framedownwardly, a manually rotatable toothed member, a stop pin projectingfrom said toothed member, a cam member associated with the frame andurged by the spring into engagement with said stop to determine theposition at which the frame is to be maintained, a stationary toothedmember normally engaged by the rotatable toothed member to lock the stopin an adjusted position, and means to disengage the rotatable toothedmember from engagement with the stationary toothed member to permitadjustment of the stop and consequently the separator frame.

9. The combination with a yieldable separator frame having frictionalrollers mounted at the lower end thereof; of a spring urging said framedownwardly, a manually rotatable and longitudinally adjustable member, astop carried by said adjustable member, means associated with said frameand engaging said stop to establish the position of the frame, means tolock the adjustable member in an adjusted position, said lock beingreleasable when the adjustable member is adjusted longitudinally.

10. In a letter feed separator unit, a yieldable frame having frictionalrollers mounted at one end thereof, a guard member partially coveringsaid rollers to restrict the exposed portion of the frictional workingsurface of said rollers, and clamp means including an arcuate springmember, and a lever controlled clamp member applying tension to theguard member through the spring member when set in a clamped position,said lever being quickly releasable to permit adjustment of the guardmember when wear of the rollers occurs.

FRANCIS J. ROUAN.

